Skip to content

Campbell Riverites recycle more than most British Columbians

Campbell River is one of the top recyclers in the province

Campbell River is one of the top recyclers in the province.

That’s according to Tom Boatman, the manager of solid waste for the Comox Valley Strathcona region, who said Campbell River has managed to reduce the amount of waste going to the dump by eight per cent in 2011 and just over five per cent in 2012.

“The amount of total tonnes diverted in 2011 and 2012 through recycling has increased,” Boatman said during a presentation to council Tuesday night.

And at 52 per cent, Boatman said Campbell River has “one of the highest recycling/diversion rates in B.C.”

Though a motion was passed by the Comox Strathcona Solid Waste Management Board in February to maintain just one recycling centre in Campbell River, in Courtenay, and in the Comox Valley, Boatman said the board, through discussions with the city, will support two recycling centres in Campbell River to accommodate recyclers.

Right now there are two recycling centres in operation – at the Sportsplex and at Strathcona Gardens. There is also a recycling area set up at the dump on Argonaut Road.

Boatman revealed Tuesday night that the Comox Strathcona Waste Management is looking to set up a new and improved recycling station on Maple Street at the former BFI Canada recycling centre and remove the bins at Strathcona Gardens.

Boatman said Sun Coast Waste Management is looking to buy the old BFI centre which was removed May 28 of this year after its property lease expired.

“We’re hoping it’s a go and (Sun Coast) promised us they will re-open that site as a full recycling centre,” Boatman said. “We hope to have that and keep the Sportsplex site active.”

Boatman said plan A is to open the site on Maple and relocate the Strathcona Gardens bins there.

The Strathcona Regional District has been pushing to have the bins taken away from the recreation complex citing a lack of staff to maintain the bins which have presented security problems and complaints that the area is unsightly and hostile.

“We have some major concerns over maintenance at that facility,” Coun. Andy Adams told Boatman. “While it’s central and well-used, maintenance is very poor and that causes problems for staff. And I’ll be blunt – it’s a Dogwood eye sore.”

Boatman said the Comox Strathcona Waste Management Board would “be happy to open up the facility that may occur with the Sun Coast folks and move out of (Strathcona Gardens).”